The Hidden Page
Divining Deception
Chapter Seventeen
Prue Halliwell sat next to Ares. She was studying the monitors. He was fast asleep. For the moment at least all still seemed to be going okay. She smiled as she looked in on her sisters at the manor. They like Ares were also sleeping but unlike him, they had peaceful expressions.
The tender way that Leo held Piper warmed Prue's heart. The eldest Halliwell sister hated to admit it but she was also beginning to wonder if Aphrodite was right and she had seriously misjudged Mr. Turner. Seeing him cradling Phoebe in such a protective embrace made something clearer to the eldest Halliwell sister than it ever had been before. She'd always known on some level that Cole loved Phoebe. She'd even felt it emanating from him when she was an empath.
Prue just always assumed, however, that it was on a more shallow, lustful level. After all how could a half demon really be capable of feeling the deep spiritual type of bond, Cole claimed he felt with Phoebe? Looking at them together from this vantage point, however, Prue realized that was exactly the type of relationship Cole and Phoebe shared. He clearly loved her with all his heart and soul and Prue realized he would fight heaven and earth to protect her little sister. She just hoped they could avoid whatever disaster Paige was engineering so it didn't have to come to that.
As if Prue's thoughts had summoned her, the wicked half-sister, appeared on the steps of the Halliwell manor. She opened her purse and took out her keys. "What the blazes does she think she is doing there?" Prue snarled. Ares awoke with a start. "Huh, what?"
"Some guardian you are! Paige is up to something. She's back at the manor. My sisters are in danger. We can't just sit here and do nothing." "Hey, I sympathize with you baby cousin but that is exactly what we've been ordered to do. Zeus has locked all the portals back to earth. He knows how impulsive some of you do-gooder goddesses and gods can get when someone's in trouble and he left specific orders that we can't interfere without permission in earthly affairs until we are officially back in charge again no matter what."
"I am so damn sick of rules, politics, and game playing. I thought the Elders, the gods, and the Light were supposed to be about furthering man -kind's knowledge and spirituality? I thought it was our duty to protect them no matter who was in charge? This whole thing just completely sucks," Prue shouted. She raised her hands in frustration and an empty chair went flying across the monitor room and crashed into a wall.
"Ooh that anger and that power is thrilling to witness. If I'm ever allowed to start causing wars again, I could use you on my team. Of course you'd have to loose those idealistic notions of yours first." "Just shut up Ares. I'm not interested. Let's just keep an eye on what's happening so if we are ever allowed to finally do our jobs we will know what the hell we are up against!"
While they had been talking Paige had entered the house. Prue watched in fury as the arrogant creep twisted her face in disgust at the sight of the two couples asleep on the couches. " Now isn't this saccharine sweet. It's enough to make me want to loose my breakfast," Paige said having no idea that she was being watched and overheard by Prue and Ares. "Well enjoy it while you can. It's about to come to an end."
"You're just a jealous bitch," Prue shouted at the screen. Ares laughed in delighted glee. " This is almost more entertaining than that human show, what is it called, oh yeah, WWF Wrestling? And are you sure you're not dearest Prudence?" Prue whirled on the god of War. "Am I sure I'm not what?" "Jealous!" Ares stated snidely. "I mean you ended up leaving the scene shall we say before you found your one and only. "I had Andy," Prue reminded Ares. "Who declined a chance to join you here and whom Aphrodite told you wasn't your true soul mate. It has to stick in your craw just as much as it does Paige's to know your sister's both found theirs."
"Ares, this may surprise creatures like you and that thing down there, but I'm actually happy for my sisters that they did find men who truly love them. They deserve all that they are getting and more. Now as I said before shut up, because I want to make sure they are allowed to hang on to it."
As they were talking Piper had woken up. "Paige what are you doing here? I thought you couldn't stand us anymore? Not to mention the fact that I told you not to show your face here unless you were ready, willing, and able to offer us an apology not to mention an explanation for your thoroughly disgusting behavior."
"You tell her Piper," Prue said cheering on her sister. She watched as Leo, Cole and Phoebe woke up at Piper's raised voice. "Paige," Phoebe said groggily. "What a thoroughly unpleasant surprise to wake up too, and I was having such pleasant dreams too." Ares chuckled, made a hissing sound in his throat, and pantomimed a cat scratching.
"Oh Piper, Phoebe, you just have to forgive me, please. I never would have treated you that way of my own accord. You can't believe what I've been through," Paige whined. "What you've been through?" Phoebe asked in disbelief.
"Yes, what I've been through. You see I met up with an ex-boyfriend from college. I'd been feeling kind of lonely for a guy lately; I mean can you blame me after watching the four of you together? Well this ex of mine tracked me down at work and asked me out about four weeks ago. We started going out and I fell head over heels just like I did the first time I met him. I thought he was the one. I even skipped out of work to be with him. Everything was going just wonderfully until I'd found out just how little I really knew about him."
"Really an ex boyfriend? That's interesting how come you never mentioned him to us?" Phoebe asked. "And even more important what does that have to do with the way you've been treating us?" "Well I didn't exactly think you'd approve of him. He had a criminal record. Of course he swore to me that the charges were bogus and he was framed. He was lying though. It turns out he's been slipping mood altering drugs in my drinks. I think that's one of the ways he gets his kicks. I caught him at it last night because I suspected something was wrong with me because of the way I'd been acting. Especially towards the two of you."
Prue saw both Piper and Phoebe's faces starting to soften a little as they looked at Paige. "Please you can't be buying this?" she pleaded from her vantage point on Olympus. "Please Phoebe, Piper, you can't be buying this?" Cole echoed down on earth.
Paige as per usual turned on the water works for effect, and this time she added an even more dynamic clincher. She removed the scarf she'd been wearing around her face to reveal to all in the room and those watching from above a nasty black and blue mark on the left side of her face. "I wasn't going to show you this but I realize you aren't going to believe me otherwise," she cried. "But he hit me too when I confronted him. I just don't understand how I could have been so easily deceived and betrayed."
Prue could tell Phoebe and Piper were now goners. They were in tears as they both went up to hug the traitor in their midst. "Please forgive us?" they pleaded. "We should have known it wasn't like you and kept digging for the truth." "No forgive me, for the way I treated you," Paige said falsely.
Leo looked equally taken in and he raced forward to heal Paige's wounded face. He'd apparently forgotten all about being turned into a mule, Prue thought in frustration. Only Cole held back and Prue could clearly read the skepticism on his face. Thank God for him, Prue thought again surprising herself. At least someone there still has a hold of their senses and isn't completely fooled by the lying little cretin.
"What's this ex -friends name and where can we find him?" Cole asked. "Yeah, I'd like to go and teach him a few lessons myself," replied Piper. "No one is going to get away with treating my sister as a punching bag." "No, please I don't want any of you to get in trouble because of me," Paige whined. "Okay what if we call Daryl and you can give him all the information?" Cole suggested. "This guy could very well hurt another innocent like yourself and isn't it part of your duty as a Charmed one to prevent that?" he asked. Prue was really glad that her future brother in law was keeping the heat on Paige.
"Of course it is, Cole. Nothing is more important to me. That is why I called an Inspector friend who I met through the Social Work department. The condo the jerk owns is closer to my cop friend's jurisdiction than Darryl's. He took care of the creep for me so there really is no need to bother Daryl with this."
"How resourceful you are Paige," Cole commented. Paige shot him a nasty look when Leo and her sister's gazes were averted. "Cole please don't give me the third degree," she said doing her best to sound hurt and exhausted. I just really can't take it. All I want is to spend some alone time with my sisters so I can make up for my inexcusable behavior."
Cole looked like he still wasn't going to drop the subject but then Phoebe pulled him aside. "Let it go Cole," she instructed him. "Can't you see Paige is really suffering? She really needs comforting right now and it's the least I can give her." "Phoebe believe me, I know how much you want to believe Paige, but something just isn't ringing true about this whole mess. I still don't trust her."
"Well I'm sorry Cole, but I don't think that is very fair of you. People warned me not to trust you but I did anyway. Where would we be if I hadn't? Don't I owe my sister the same benefit of the doubt?"
Pure didn't like the sounds of where this was heading. "Don't be a fool, Phoebe," she warned even though she knew her sister couldn't hear her. "Fine then give her the benefit of the doubt if you want, I just don't want you and Piper spending time alone with her at least until I can do some more investigating to check out her story. Promise me that at least," Cole pleaded.
"Cole, You heard Paige say it herself. It's clear she got involved with this jerk because she's feeling left out, because of all the time you and me, and Piper and Leo spend together as couples. I think Piper and I both are going to be more conscious of that fact and start paying a little more attention to Paige. "You and Leo are both just going to have to understand that whether you want to or not." Pure winced and then rubbed her temple. "Ouch, Phoebe," she spoke softly," talk about not being fair."
"Oh so now all this is my fault because I'm keeping you from spending time with your sisters?" Cole snapped. "That's not I meant," Phoebe insisted. "It sure sounded that way to me, but then I guess that's just my selfish evil side talking," he said angrily. "Never let it be said, however, that I can't take a hint when it's given. He turned quickly and started heading for the door. "Where are you going?" Phoebe yelled at his retreating back. "Don't worry about it," he said without turning around. "You and your sisters will have all the space you need," with that comment hanging in there he stormed out, slamming the door in his wake.
Prue jumped out of her seat and had to fight to keep herself from throwing something at the screen. "Don't let her do this to you all," she cried out. The only one listening to her was Ares, who merely smirked and said, "I take back what I said earlier. This is better than the World Wrestling Federation."
Divining Deception
Chapter Seventeen
Prue Halliwell sat next to Ares. She was studying the monitors. He was fast asleep. For the moment at least all still seemed to be going okay. She smiled as she looked in on her sisters at the manor. They like Ares were also sleeping but unlike him, they had peaceful expressions.
The tender way that Leo held Piper warmed Prue's heart. The eldest Halliwell sister hated to admit it but she was also beginning to wonder if Aphrodite was right and she had seriously misjudged Mr. Turner. Seeing him cradling Phoebe in such a protective embrace made something clearer to the eldest Halliwell sister than it ever had been before. She'd always known on some level that Cole loved Phoebe. She'd even felt it emanating from him when she was an empath.
Prue just always assumed, however, that it was on a more shallow, lustful level. After all how could a half demon really be capable of feeling the deep spiritual type of bond, Cole claimed he felt with Phoebe? Looking at them together from this vantage point, however, Prue realized that was exactly the type of relationship Cole and Phoebe shared. He clearly loved her with all his heart and soul and Prue realized he would fight heaven and earth to protect her little sister. She just hoped they could avoid whatever disaster Paige was engineering so it didn't have to come to that.
As if Prue's thoughts had summoned her, the wicked half-sister, appeared on the steps of the Halliwell manor. She opened her purse and took out her keys. "What the blazes does she think she is doing there?" Prue snarled. Ares awoke with a start. "Huh, what?"
"Some guardian you are! Paige is up to something. She's back at the manor. My sisters are in danger. We can't just sit here and do nothing." "Hey, I sympathize with you baby cousin but that is exactly what we've been ordered to do. Zeus has locked all the portals back to earth. He knows how impulsive some of you do-gooder goddesses and gods can get when someone's in trouble and he left specific orders that we can't interfere without permission in earthly affairs until we are officially back in charge again no matter what."
"I am so damn sick of rules, politics, and game playing. I thought the Elders, the gods, and the Light were supposed to be about furthering man -kind's knowledge and spirituality? I thought it was our duty to protect them no matter who was in charge? This whole thing just completely sucks," Prue shouted. She raised her hands in frustration and an empty chair went flying across the monitor room and crashed into a wall.
"Ooh that anger and that power is thrilling to witness. If I'm ever allowed to start causing wars again, I could use you on my team. Of course you'd have to loose those idealistic notions of yours first." "Just shut up Ares. I'm not interested. Let's just keep an eye on what's happening so if we are ever allowed to finally do our jobs we will know what the hell we are up against!"
While they had been talking Paige had entered the house. Prue watched in fury as the arrogant creep twisted her face in disgust at the sight of the two couples asleep on the couches. " Now isn't this saccharine sweet. It's enough to make me want to loose my breakfast," Paige said having no idea that she was being watched and overheard by Prue and Ares. "Well enjoy it while you can. It's about to come to an end."
"You're just a jealous bitch," Prue shouted at the screen. Ares laughed in delighted glee. " This is almost more entertaining than that human show, what is it called, oh yeah, WWF Wrestling? And are you sure you're not dearest Prudence?" Prue whirled on the god of War. "Am I sure I'm not what?" "Jealous!" Ares stated snidely. "I mean you ended up leaving the scene shall we say before you found your one and only. "I had Andy," Prue reminded Ares. "Who declined a chance to join you here and whom Aphrodite told you wasn't your true soul mate. It has to stick in your craw just as much as it does Paige's to know your sister's both found theirs."
"Ares, this may surprise creatures like you and that thing down there, but I'm actually happy for my sisters that they did find men who truly love them. They deserve all that they are getting and more. Now as I said before shut up, because I want to make sure they are allowed to hang on to it."
As they were talking Piper had woken up. "Paige what are you doing here? I thought you couldn't stand us anymore? Not to mention the fact that I told you not to show your face here unless you were ready, willing, and able to offer us an apology not to mention an explanation for your thoroughly disgusting behavior."
"You tell her Piper," Prue said cheering on her sister. She watched as Leo, Cole and Phoebe woke up at Piper's raised voice. "Paige," Phoebe said groggily. "What a thoroughly unpleasant surprise to wake up too, and I was having such pleasant dreams too." Ares chuckled, made a hissing sound in his throat, and pantomimed a cat scratching.
"Oh Piper, Phoebe, you just have to forgive me, please. I never would have treated you that way of my own accord. You can't believe what I've been through," Paige whined. "What you've been through?" Phoebe asked in disbelief.
"Yes, what I've been through. You see I met up with an ex-boyfriend from college. I'd been feeling kind of lonely for a guy lately; I mean can you blame me after watching the four of you together? Well this ex of mine tracked me down at work and asked me out about four weeks ago. We started going out and I fell head over heels just like I did the first time I met him. I thought he was the one. I even skipped out of work to be with him. Everything was going just wonderfully until I'd found out just how little I really knew about him."
"Really an ex boyfriend? That's interesting how come you never mentioned him to us?" Phoebe asked. "And even more important what does that have to do with the way you've been treating us?" "Well I didn't exactly think you'd approve of him. He had a criminal record. Of course he swore to me that the charges were bogus and he was framed. He was lying though. It turns out he's been slipping mood altering drugs in my drinks. I think that's one of the ways he gets his kicks. I caught him at it last night because I suspected something was wrong with me because of the way I'd been acting. Especially towards the two of you."
Prue saw both Piper and Phoebe's faces starting to soften a little as they looked at Paige. "Please you can't be buying this?" she pleaded from her vantage point on Olympus. "Please Phoebe, Piper, you can't be buying this?" Cole echoed down on earth.
Paige as per usual turned on the water works for effect, and this time she added an even more dynamic clincher. She removed the scarf she'd been wearing around her face to reveal to all in the room and those watching from above a nasty black and blue mark on the left side of her face. "I wasn't going to show you this but I realize you aren't going to believe me otherwise," she cried. "But he hit me too when I confronted him. I just don't understand how I could have been so easily deceived and betrayed."
Prue could tell Phoebe and Piper were now goners. They were in tears as they both went up to hug the traitor in their midst. "Please forgive us?" they pleaded. "We should have known it wasn't like you and kept digging for the truth." "No forgive me, for the way I treated you," Paige said falsely.
Leo looked equally taken in and he raced forward to heal Paige's wounded face. He'd apparently forgotten all about being turned into a mule, Prue thought in frustration. Only Cole held back and Prue could clearly read the skepticism on his face. Thank God for him, Prue thought again surprising herself. At least someone there still has a hold of their senses and isn't completely fooled by the lying little cretin.
"What's this ex -friends name and where can we find him?" Cole asked. "Yeah, I'd like to go and teach him a few lessons myself," replied Piper. "No one is going to get away with treating my sister as a punching bag." "No, please I don't want any of you to get in trouble because of me," Paige whined. "Okay what if we call Daryl and you can give him all the information?" Cole suggested. "This guy could very well hurt another innocent like yourself and isn't it part of your duty as a Charmed one to prevent that?" he asked. Prue was really glad that her future brother in law was keeping the heat on Paige.
"Of course it is, Cole. Nothing is more important to me. That is why I called an Inspector friend who I met through the Social Work department. The condo the jerk owns is closer to my cop friend's jurisdiction than Darryl's. He took care of the creep for me so there really is no need to bother Daryl with this."
"How resourceful you are Paige," Cole commented. Paige shot him a nasty look when Leo and her sister's gazes were averted. "Cole please don't give me the third degree," she said doing her best to sound hurt and exhausted. I just really can't take it. All I want is to spend some alone time with my sisters so I can make up for my inexcusable behavior."
Cole looked like he still wasn't going to drop the subject but then Phoebe pulled him aside. "Let it go Cole," she instructed him. "Can't you see Paige is really suffering? She really needs comforting right now and it's the least I can give her." "Phoebe believe me, I know how much you want to believe Paige, but something just isn't ringing true about this whole mess. I still don't trust her."
"Well I'm sorry Cole, but I don't think that is very fair of you. People warned me not to trust you but I did anyway. Where would we be if I hadn't? Don't I owe my sister the same benefit of the doubt?"
Pure didn't like the sounds of where this was heading. "Don't be a fool, Phoebe," she warned even though she knew her sister couldn't hear her. "Fine then give her the benefit of the doubt if you want, I just don't want you and Piper spending time alone with her at least until I can do some more investigating to check out her story. Promise me that at least," Cole pleaded.
"Cole, You heard Paige say it herself. It's clear she got involved with this jerk because she's feeling left out, because of all the time you and me, and Piper and Leo spend together as couples. I think Piper and I both are going to be more conscious of that fact and start paying a little more attention to Paige. "You and Leo are both just going to have to understand that whether you want to or not." Pure winced and then rubbed her temple. "Ouch, Phoebe," she spoke softly," talk about not being fair."
"Oh so now all this is my fault because I'm keeping you from spending time with your sisters?" Cole snapped. "That's not I meant," Phoebe insisted. "It sure sounded that way to me, but then I guess that's just my selfish evil side talking," he said angrily. "Never let it be said, however, that I can't take a hint when it's given. He turned quickly and started heading for the door. "Where are you going?" Phoebe yelled at his retreating back. "Don't worry about it," he said without turning around. "You and your sisters will have all the space you need," with that comment hanging in there he stormed out, slamming the door in his wake.
Prue jumped out of her seat and had to fight to keep herself from throwing something at the screen. "Don't let her do this to you all," she cried out. The only one listening to her was Ares, who merely smirked and said, "I take back what I said earlier. This is better than the World Wrestling Federation."